Clicker Dog Training: Step One

Charging the Clicker and a Few Other Pointers

Ready
for your clicker dog training adventure? Can't wait to get
started? There is one critical step you need to take before
training your dog with this method--charging the clicker.

If you've read my first clicker
dog training article you know that clicker training uses the
scientific approach of classical conditioning. But,
instead of ringing a bell like
Pavlov, you'll use your clicker to let your dog know a treat
is coming.

So, you need one or two preliminary sessions to teach your dog to
associate the sound of the click with getting a treat. Most
dogs catch on very quickly. Here's how it goes. . .

Take your dog to an area with few if
any distractions. Don't give
your dog any commands--just click and treat. Then do
it again-click/treat, click/treat, click/treat and so on several
times. Take a short break. Maybe five minutes. Then
click and treat again. If your dog starts looking for a treat
when he hears the click, you'll know he's making the connection.

Once you think he's "getting it", end the session. It's not a
bad idea to repeat the exercise a few hours or a day later.
You want to make sure the
connection between the click and the treat is firmly
established in your dog's mind.

That's it! You are now ready to begin clicker dog training in
earnest.

You may be asking yourself at this point, "Do I really need a
clicker? Can I just say 'good dog' and treat instead of using
the clicker?" Well, you could. But your mileage may
vary. The clicker as a training tool provides a consistency of sound and pitch that the
human voice does not.

Also, if you find yourself saying your cue phrase--"good dog!",
"right!", "yes!", etc.--when you aren't training and don't have
treats available, your dog could become confused and the cue phrase
could lose its potency.

Clickers are very inexpensive. The fancier ones are mostly
under $2 and some pet supply stores have been known to put their
logo on the back of the basic plastic box type and give them away
for free.

Finally, here are a few tips to help you on your way with the
clicker dog training experience beyond charging the clicker:

Treats

Don't use kibble (dry dog food pellets) or hard biscuits pieces
for training. Make it special. Soft, tasty treats that are bite-sized and
don't require a lot of chewing are best. Some pet
supply stores now carry pre-packaged "training treats" designed for
clicker dog training.

If you are on a budget, there's no need to buy commercial
treats. Table scraps and leftovers
are great to use for training. Slice up some hot dogs, cut
up leftover chicken or anything else your dog likes--and you're
good to go.

To keep things interesting, don't use the same treats at every
session. Vary things up. Surprise your dog.

Notice which treats your dog
loves best and make it a point to use them when you are
teaching something new or difficult. Also, use high-value
treats when you are initially charging the clicker.

When your dog has a training breakthrough or does something
particularly impressive, mark the
occasion with a "jackpot" reward (several treat pieces at
once).

Train when your dog is hungry--not right after a meal.
You'll want to compensate for the treat calories your dog is
consuming by feeding smaller portions for meals.

For the vast majority of dogs,
food is the strongest motivater on the planet and gets the
best training results. However, if your dog is truly
indifferent to food treats, reward
him with what he cares about most--petting, belly-rubs,
fetching a ball or frisbee, a moment with his favorite toy. .
.

The Clicker

For best results, use the clicker--not your voice--to mark the
behavior you want.

Timing is everything
when you are marking behavior with the clicker. Ideally, you want to click while the behavior
your want to mark is taking place. For example, if you are
teaching "sit", click the moment your dog's bottom reaches the
ground. Then give the treat.

Never click unless you are
going to treat. By charging the clicker, you've paired
the sound of the click with getting a reward. Inconsistency will confuse your dog and
dilute the effectiveness of the clicker as a training tool.

It's a good idea to clue other household members into what you
are doing with clicker dog training. Children are especially prone to view the
clicker as a toy. You want to avoid having a child
running through the house clicking randomly for the fun of it.
Or worse yet, inadvertently teasing your dog by using the
clicker to get your dog's attention and then not giving him a
treat.

Consequently, if your children are mature enough to participate
in the clicker dog training effort--include them if they are
interested. It's a great way for
kids to learn responsibility, respect for animals and
develop a special bond with the family pet.

On the other hand, if your children are too young to understand
and follow the principles of clicker dog training, it's best to
make the clicker off-limits for now.